An additional €26million has been secured for a pilot scheme which targets vacant properties to be repaired for social housing.

Housing Minister Simon Coveney said the additional investment means that up to 800 vacant properties can be brought back into use as new homes for families on local authority waiting lists.

Minister Coveney said: "The pilot has been working well in Waterford and Carlow local authorities since October with around 59 properties currently in train. Based on this level of interest in the scheme, I am confident that the initiative can deliver up to 800 homes this year. Property owners see the opportunity the scheme presents for them – upfront financing of the cost of repairs – in fact they need not even get involved in arranging the works, and a secure and reliable income from regular rental payments, without having to take on landlord responsibilities."

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The Department is currently working with local authorities to implement the scheme on a local basis.

(CD/MH)